Ambazonian leaders demonstrating democracy as Marianta-led IG prepares for election
By Wilson Musa
There has always been an election for a new leader to take command of the major groups fighting to restore the independence of the two Anglophone regions- the Southern Cameroons.
From the days of Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, CACSC, to Southern Cameroon Ambazonia Consortium United Front, SCACUF, the leaders have conducted restricted suffrage kind of polls.
Since 2017 when SCACUF was transformed into the “Interim Government”, the Anglophone leaders have had diverse political opinions and different modus operandi to prosecute the war against the central government.
The first leader of the Interim Government was therefore elected through a Diaspora electoral college. In January 2018, the majority of the frontline leaders were arrested in Nigeria and extradited to Cameroon.
The second leader of the Interim Government, Dr. Samuel Sako was still elected through a Diaspora restricted suffrage.
Other groups such as the Ambazonia Governing Council has witnessed a low-key election in 2021 when the Presidential candidates presented their manifesto for the leadership of the AGOVC. But incumbent, Dr. Ayaba Cho Lucas, unsurprisingly won the polls. At least they proved that their team is ready to embrace democracy.
In a rather tense democratic political atmosphere, the Marianta-led Interim Government is preparing for fresh polls on September 6, 2022. Like other groups, the election will be restricted to suffrage with a Diaspora electoral college. But the build-up to the polls has taken everyone by surprise.
Iya Marianta became the new leader of another Interim Government, making it three in existence after the Restoration Council said they had dismissed Dr. Sako for mismanagement and embezzlement. Three persons now claim to be the real Interim Government President; pioneer Sisiku Julius Ayuktabe, Dr. Samuel Sako, and Iya Marianta.
Without looking at their claims for legitimacy, the democratic process building up to the polls in the Marianta faction is making waves. It will be the first time that a faction of the Interim Government is displaying democratic values with each candidate cajoling the electorate to vote. Notably the group’s Communication Secretary Chris Anu, the incumbent Iya Marianta, and Gertrude Kisob. The three; two women and one man will know their fate on September 6, 2022.
The first speech of Chris Anu raised eyebrows on the management style of Iya Marianta with many believing that the group is now washing its dirty linens in public. Beyond the insults, accusations, counter-accusations, and revelation, lies a group ready to embrace democracy and democratic values.
While this is going on, another school of thought has it that holding an election during wartime is waste of time, energy, and resources.
